Contents Introduction... 2 MBA Program Administration... 2 Leadership... 2 Academic Advising... 2 Student Engagement... 2 Academic Advising...

Transcription

1 MBA

2 Contents Introduction... 2 MBA Program Administration... 2 Leadership... 2 Academic Advising... 2 Student Engagement... 2 Academic Advising... 3 DegreeMAP... 3 Student Responsibilities... 3 Global MBA (GMBA)... 5 Program Requirements... 5 Course Requirements... 5 Core Courses (28.5 credits)... 5 Consulting Abroad Project (3 credits)... 5 Electives (24 credits)... 5 Healthcare MBA (HCMBA)... 6 Program Requirements... 6 Course Requirements... 6 Core Courses (31.5 credits)... 6 Advanced Core Courses (12 credits)... 6 Electives (9 credits)... 6 Online MBA (OMBA)... 7 Program Requirements... 7 Course Requirements... 7 Core Courses (31.5 credits)... 7 Information Technology Selective (1.5 credits)... 7 Business & Society Residency (1.5 credits)... 7 Electives (18 credits)... 7 Professional MBA (PMBA)... 8 Course Requirements... 8 Core Courses (28.5 credits)... 8 Electives (27 credits)... 8

3 Joint Degree Programs... 9 Concentrations & Certificates... 9 Academic Policies Academic Integrity Academic Integrity Statement Academic Dishonesty Definition Academic Dishonesty Reporting Academic Dishonesty Process Academic Integrity Sanctions Academic Standing Standards of Satisfactory Academic Performance Academic Probation Academic Suspension Appeals Regarding Termination of Degree Candidacy Attendance Absences Due to Religious Holidays Continuous Enrollment, Reinstatement and Readmission Core Course Waiver Course Repetition for Credit Grade Grievance Grade of F Incomplete Grades Leave of Absence Leave of Absence Due to Military Deployment Returning from a Leave of Absence Non-Degree Coursework Policy Exceptions Reinstatement Time Limit to Complete Degree Transfer of Credit Voluntary Withdrawal... 20

4 Registration Consortium Independent Study Graduation Policies and Procedures Awarding of the Degree Diplomas Transcripts GWSB Celebration and University Commencement Ceremony GW School of Business Celebration The George Washington University Commencement Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society Other University Policies University Policy on Equal Opportunity Student Conduct Ethical Principles Right to Dismiss Students Right to Change Rules and Programs University Policy on the Release of Student Information... 27

5 INTRODUCTION The George Washington University School of Business (GWSB) along with The George Washington University establishes minimum requirements for MBA admission and the awarding of MBA degrees. Students should familiarize themselves with and are responsible for adhering to all policies and procedures relevant to their pursuit of the MBA degree, including those published in the University Bulletin, the School of Business Bulletin, and this Student Handbook. Other University policies, such as the registration schedule and withdrawal deadlines published each semester by the University Registrar, must also be observed. In addition, recipients of a GW School of Business meritbased aid award must abide by the terms of their award letter. Exceptions to any of The George Washington University or the GW School of Business s policies and procedures must be secured in writing from the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs. Any student who is in doubt about how a policy or procedure applies to her or him should seek clarification from their academic advisor. MBA PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP Dr. Vanessa Perry, Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Associate Professor of Marketing Chris Storer, Interim Executive Director for Graduate Admissions and MBA Programs ACADEMIC ADVISING Cara Richards Senior Associate Director for Academic Advising and Administration crichards@gwu.edu Advising: Healthcare MBA Pheather Harris Senior Academic Advisor pheatherose@gwu.edu Jeff Peden Assistant Director for Academic Advising and Administration jpeden@gwu.edu Advising: Last name - A-C Deborah Klatzkin Senior Academic Advisor dklatzkin@gwu.edu Advising: Advising: Last name - M-Z Accelerated MBA, Class of 2015 Last name - D-L STUDENT ENGAGEMENT Jessica Elias Senior Associate Director for Student Engagement jde212@gwu.edu Sharena Savari Program Coordinator slsavari@gwu.edu 2 MBA Student Handbook

6 ACADEMIC ADVISING Our office serves as the academic resource for MBA students in the GW School of Business. Each student is assigned an academic advisor based on the student s program of study. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor for questions concerning, but not limited to: Academic policies Administrative procedures Concentration information Course planning Curriculum requirements DegreeMAP questions International Services Office requests Personal concerns DEGREEMAP DegreeMAP is an online planning tool located through GWeb that allows students to independently track their academic progress. Once inside DegreeMAP, students will find an outline of their MBA degree requirements, including courses completed and those that are outstanding. Students should plan to review their academic progress through DegreeMAP prior to registration for the next semester to ensure that they are enrolling in the correct degree requirements and making adequate academic progress towards the MBA degree. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES While your academic advisor and professors have specific and significant roles in your education at GW, you the student have an equally significant role with specific responsibilities. Academic advising is a two-way street and you must be proactive in your relationship with your academic advisor. In the advising relationship, you are responsible for: Knowing your MBA degree requirements. The MBA degree requirements are available online at the MBA Degree Requirements webpage. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with this information and discuss questions and options with your academic advisor. Tracking your degree progress. You are expected to utilize the tools available to you in order to plan each semester to make continued academic progress towards graduation and to remain in good standing with the University. These tools include: Academic advisor DegreeMAP GWSB Bulletin MBA Student Handbook Registrar s website University Bulletin 3 MBA Student Handbook

7 Adding and dropping courses. You must register for your classes each semester through GWeb (with the exception of the first-year Global MBA students, Online MBA students, and all Healthcare MBA students who are registered by MBA Programs). Accordingly, you must drop from any course you do not attend by the appropriate deadline set by the Office of the Registrar. To drop a course you must complete a Registration Transaction Form and submit it to your academic advisor. Notifying a professor or academic advisor in person or via that you are dropping a course does not initiate a course drop in the registration system. Planning ahead. You should always anticipate your short-term and long-term needs and work with your academic advisor early and often to prepare for and meet those needs. Communicating with your professors. Whether you are sick, struggling academically, expecting to miss a class, or seeking career advice, you must initiate communication with your professors. You can speak with the professor after class, make use of their office hours, or communicate via . Checking your GWMail. is our primary means of communicating with you. You are responsible for reading s sent to your GWMail account from any University office, faculty, or staff member and responding by the timelines outlined in the . Students may forward their GWMail account to a personal account. Knowing and following policies and procedures. The University Bulletin, GWSB Bulletin, and MBA Student Handbook are updated each academic year. You must review all policies and procedures each year as they are subject to change. Taking action and closing the loop. It is up to you to follow-up on any academic or financial action you have requested until issues are resolved. 4 MBA Student Handbook

8 GLOBAL MBA (GMBA) Students must successfully complete the following course and program requirements to be eligible for the Masters of Business Administration degree: PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Achievement of at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the time of graduation Complete all degree requirements within five (5) years COURSE REQUIREMENTS Students must complete 55.5 credits of the following coursework to be eligible for graduation: Core Courses (28.5 credits) 6211 Financial Accounting (3 cr.) 6213 Managerial Accounting (1.5 cr.) 6223 Operations Management (1.5 cr. 6224*) 6224 Decision Making & Data Analysis (3 cr.) 6233 Financial Markets (1.5 cr. 6211*, 6224*, 6242*) 6234 Financial Management (1.5 cr. 6233*) 6242 Micro for Global Economy (1.5 cr.) 6245 Global Perspectives (3 cr.) 6263 Organizations & Human Capital (3 cr.) 6289 Business Ethics & Public Policy (3 cr.) 6274 Marketing (3 cr.) 6287 Strategy Fundamentals (1.5 cr.) 6286 Strategy Formulation & Implementation (1.5 cr. all core courses*) *Indicates pre-requisite course which must be completed prior to taking this course. **Up to 6 credits of core courses may be waived based on previous academic coursework. See the Core Course Waiver Policy for details. Consulting Abroad Project (3 credits) Students must complete both the on-campus and study abroad components of the Consulting Abroad Project (CAP). Electives (24 credits) Internships may not be applied towards the MBA degree requirements. Elective courses must be taken for a letter grade with the exception of courses taken at the GW Law School where courses are letter graded and then converted to a CR on the graduate transcript. Elective credits can be fulfilled by taking a level course in any of the business school departments. Up to 12 credits may be taken outside of the School of Business at GW, and up to six (6) of those credits can be fulfilled outside of The George Washington University. This 12-credit maximum includes approved transfer credit, Consortium coursework, and graduate-level courses completed at GW outside of the GWSB. Students may complete an elective concentration by completing the 12 credits of required coursework as outlined by the academic department. See each concentration for details. 5 MBA Student Handbook

9 HEALTHCARE MBA (HCMBA) Students must successfully complete the following course and program requirements to be eligible for the Masters of Business Administration degree: PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Achievement of at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the time of graduation Complete all degree requirements within five (5) years COURSE REQUIREMENTS Students must complete 52.5 credits of the following coursework to be eligible for graduation: Core Courses (31.5 credits) 6211 Financial Accounting (3 cr.) 6213 Managerial Accounting (1.5 cr.) 6285 Bus Law & Communications (1.5 cr.) 6221 Judgment, Uncertainty & Decisions (1.5 cr.) 6222 Data Analysis & Decisions (1.5 cr. 6221*) 6223 Operations Strategy (1.5 cr. 6222*) 6233 Financial Markets (1.5 cr. 6211*, 6222*, 6242*) 6234 Financial Management (1.5 cr. 6233*) 6241 Global Perspectives (1.5 cr.) 6242 Micro for Global Economy (1.5 cr.) 6243 Macro for Global Economy (1.5 cr. 6242*) 6244 International Management (1.5 cr. 6241*) 6261 Organizations & Leadership (1.5 cr.) 6262 Managing Human Capital (1.5 cr. 6261*) 6265 Entrepreneurship (1.5 cr.) 6272 Nature of Markets (1.5 cr.) 6273 Marketing Decisions (1.5 cr. 6272*) 6281 Business Ethics (1.5 cr.) 6284 Business & Public Policy (1.5 cr.) 6286 Strategy Formulation & Implementation (1.5 cr. all core courses*) *Indicates pre-requisite course which must be completed prior to taking this course. **Up to 6 credits of core courses may be waived based on previous academic coursework. See the Core Course Waiver Policy for details. Advanced Core Courses (12 credits) MBAD 6252 Mgmt. of Information Systems (1.5 cr.) ISTM 6251 Info Sys Applications (1.5 cr. 6252*) MGT 6290 Entrepreneurial Planning (3 cr. 6265*) MGT 6290 Electronic Medical Record Issues (1.5 cr.) SMPP 6290 Ethics in Health Services Mgmt. (1.5 cr. 6281*.) SMPP 6290 Healthcare Policy I (1.5 cr.) SMPP 6290 Healthcare Policy II (1.5 cr. 6290*) Electives (9 credits) Internships may not be applied towards the MBA degree requirements. Elective courses must be taken for a letter grade with the exception of courses taken at the GW Law School where courses are letter graded and then converted to a CR on the graduate transcript. Specially designated healthcare-related electives for the healthcare MBA program will be offered each semester. Elective credits can be fulfilled by taking a level course in any of the business school departments. Up to 12 credits may be taken outside of the School of Business at GW, and up to six (6) of those credits can be fulfilled outside of The George Washington University. This 12-credit maximum includes approved transfer credit, Consortium coursework, and graduate-level courses completed at GW outside of the GWSB. 6 MBA Student Handbook

10 ONLINE MBA (OMBA) Students must successfully complete the following course and program requirements to be eligible for the Masters of Business Administration degree: PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Achievement of at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the time of graduation Complete all degree requirements within five (5) years COURSE REQUIREMENTS Students must complete 52.5 credits of the following coursework to be eligible for graduation: Core Courses (31.5 credits) 6211 Financial Accounting (3 cr.) 6213 Managerial Accounting (1.5 cr.) 6285 Bus Law & Communications (1.5 cr.) 6221 Judgment, Uncertainty & Decisions (1.5 cr.) 6222 Data Analysis & Decisions (1.5 cr. 6221*) 6223 Operations Strategy (1.5 cr. 6222*) 6233 Financial Markets (1.5 cr. 6211*, 6222*, 6242*) 6234 Financial Management (1.5 cr. 6233*) 6241 Global Perspectives (1.5 cr.) 6242 Micro for Global Economy (1.5 cr.) 6243 Macro for Global Economy (1.5 cr. 6242*) 6244 International Management (1.5 cr. 6241*) 6261 Organizations & Leadership (1.5 cr.) 6262 Managing Human Capital (1.5 cr. 6261*) 6265 Entrepreneurship (1.5 cr.) 6272 Nature of Markets (1.5 cr.) 6273 Marketing Decisions (1.5 cr. 6272*) 6281 Business Ethics (1.5 cr.) 6284 Business & Public Policy (1.5 cr.) 6286 Strategy Formulation & Implementation (1.5 cr. all core courses*) *Indicates pre-requisite course which must be completed prior to taking this course. **Up to 6 credits of core courses may be waived based on previous academic coursework. See the Core Course Waiver Policy for details. Information Technology Selective (1.5 credits) Choose from one of the following: MBAD 6252 Management of Information Systems MBAD 6253 Management of Tech and Innovation MBAD 6254 Database & Data Warehousing MBAD 6290 Systems Analysis and Design Business & Society Residency (1.5 credits) Students must complete the four-day on-campus Business & Society Residency prior to graduation. The residency will be held three times a year in January, March, and May. Electives (18 credits) At least 3 of the 18 elective credits must be in a globally focused course. A list of approved courses is posted on the Elective Options website each semester. All International Business (IBUS) courses and any of our study abroad programs fulfill this requirement. Internships may not be applied towards the MBA degree requirements. Elective courses must be taken for a letter grade with the exception of courses taken at the GW Law School where courses are letter graded and then converted to a CR on the graduate transcript. Elective credits can be fulfilled by taking a level course in any of the business school departments. Up to 12 credits may be taken outside of the School of Business at GW, and up to six (6) of those credits can be fulfilled outside of The George Washington University. This 12-credit maximum includes approved transfer credit, Consortium coursework, and graduate-level courses completed at GW outside of the GWSB. 7 MBA Student Handbook

11 PROFESSIONAL MBA (PMBA) Students must successfully complete the following course and program requirements to be eligible for the Masters of Business Administration degree: PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Achievement of at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the time of graduation Complete all degree requirements within five (5) years COURSE REQUIREMENTS Students must complete 55.5 credits of the following coursework to be eligible for graduation: Core Courses (28.5 credits) 6211 Financial Accounting (3 cr.) 6213 Managerial Accounting (1.5 cr.) 6224 Decision Making & Data Analysis (3 cr.) 6223 Operations Management (1.5 cr. 6224*) 6235 Finance (3 cr. 6211*, 6224*, 6242*) 6242 Micro for Global Economy (1.5 cr.) 6245 Global Perspectives (3 cr.) 6263 Organizations & Human Capital (3 cr.) 6289 Business Ethics & Public Policy (3 cr.) 6274 Marketing (3 cr.) 6288 Strategic Management (3 cr. all core courses*) * Indicates pre-requisite course which must be completed prior to taking this course. * Up to 6 credits of core courses may be waived based on previous academic coursework. See the Core Course Waiver Policy for details Electives (27 credits) Internships may not be applied towards the MBA degree requirements. Elective courses must be taken for a letter grade with the exception of courses taken at the GW Law School where courses are letter graded and then converted to a CR on the graduate transcript. Elective credits can be fulfilled by taking a level course in any of the business school departments. Up to 12 credits may be taken outside of the School of Business at GW, and up to six (6) of those credits can be fulfilled outside of The George Washington University. This 12-credit maximum includes approved transfer credit, Consortium coursework, and graduate-level courses completed at GW outside of the GWSB. Students may complete an elective concentration by completing the 12 credits of required coursework as outlined by the academic department. See each concentration for details. 8 MBA Student Handbook

12 JOINT DEGREE PROGRAMS The GWSB co-sponsors a total of six joint degree programs. Students enrolled in joint degree programs pursue studies leading to the awarding of two degrees from George Washington University. Students should consult both their GWSB academic advisor and the advisor in the corresponding school for specific information about requirements for their specific joint degree program. Joint degree programs within the School of Business: MBA/MS in Finance MBA/MS in Government Contracts MBA/MS in Project Management MBA/MS in Information Systems Technology Joint degree programs outside of the School of Business: MBA/Juris Doctor - Law School MBA/Master of Arts - Elliott School for International Affairs CONCENTRATIONS & CERTIFICATES Global MBA and Professional MBA students may complete a certificate or an elective concentration by completing coursework as outlined by the academic department. Please see the student website for a list of current certificate and concentration offerings and their respective requirements. Regarding concentrations, please note the following: All concentrations require the successful completion of 12 unique credits. Each includes both required coursework (3-6 credits) that must be taken and a list of optional courses to complete the remaining credits (6-9 credits). Courses cannot be shared between concentrations. If a course has been taken to fulfill one concentration then it cannot be used toward the requirements of another. A course may not be double-counted between a concentration and a core requirement. If all of the requirements have been met then the concentration will appear on the transcript. It will not appear on the diploma. Note, only the primary concentration will be noted (i.e. Finance, not Corporate Finance). Once a concentration is declared, students must meet all concentration requirements in order to be eligible for graduation. Should a student have adequate credits for graduation but not meet the concentration requirements, s/he will not be cleared for graduation until either the requirements are met or concentration deleted via the Concentration Declaration Form. Students who wish to satisfy a MBA concentration elective requirement with a GW course that has not been pre-approved must submit a Petition for Elective Credit form. 9 MBA Student Handbook

13 ACADEMIC POLICIES ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Academic Integrity Statement We, the Students, Faculty, Librarians and Administration of the George Washington University, believing academic honesty to be central to the mission of the University, commit ourselves to its high standards and to the promotion of academic integrity. Commitment to academic honesty upholds the mutual respect and moral integrity that our community values and nurtures. To this end, we have established the George Washington University Code of Academic Integrity. Academic Dishonesty Definition Academic dishonesty is defined as cheating of any kind, including misrepresenting one's own work, taking credit for the work of others without crediting them and without appropriate authorization, and the fabrication of information. Common examples of academically dishonest behavior include, but are not limited to, the following: Cheating - intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise; copying from another student's examination; submitting work for an in-class examination that has been prepared in advance; representing material prepared by another as one's own work; submitting the same work in more than one course without prior permission of both instructors; violating rules governing administration of examinations; violating any rules relating to academic conduct of a course or program. Fabrication - intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any data, information, or citation in an academic exercise. Plagiarism - intentionally representing the words, ideas, or sequence of ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise; failure to attribute any of the following: quotations, paraphrases, or borrowed information. Falsification and forgery of University academic documents - knowingly making a false statement, concealing material information, or forging a University official's signature on any University academic document or record. Such academic documents or records may include transcripts, adddrop forms, requests for advanced standing, requests to register for graduate-level courses, etc. (Falsification or forgery of non-academic University documents, such as financial aid forms, shall be considered a violation of the non-academic student disciplinary code.) Facilitating academic dishonesty - intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to commit an act of academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty Reporting It is the moral responsibility each member of the George Washington University community to respond to suspected acts of academic dishonesty by: Consulting the individual(s) thought to be involved and encouraging them to report it themselves, and/or Reporting it to the instructor involved, and/or Reporting it to the Academic Integrity Council. Any charges should be made as expeditiously as is reasonably possible (normally within twelve working days except in the summer or during academic breaks and holidays) from the discovery of the infraction. 10 MBA Student Handbook

14 Charges may be initiated as follows: (1) Student Initiated Charge - A student may initiate a charge of academic dishonesty against another student, by referring the case to the faculty member involved and/or to the Academic Integrity Council. If the case is brought directly to the Academic Integrity Council, for action by a Hearing Panel, then the Office of Academic Operations or a designee shall promptly notify the instructor of the involved course. (2) Faculty Initiated Charge - When a faculty member initiates a charge or is made aware of a violation which the faculty member determines to be substantive, the faculty member shall contact the Academic Integrity Office in order to discover whether the student has ever been found guilty of a charge of academic dishonesty. a. In first offense cases, the instructor shall either act directly, in consultation with the Department Chair, or refer the case to the Academic Integrity Council for action by a Hearing Panel. An instructor who acts directly must present the student with specific charges and a proposed sanction. Sanctions will be determined in accordance with this Code. b. If the faculty member acts directly then the accused student shall have the right to appeal directly to the Academic Integrity Council, for action by a Hearing Panel, should he or she disagree with the validity of the charge or the appropriateness of the sanction. c. Second offenses shall go directly to the Academic Integrity Council, for action by a Hearing Panel. d. If a faculty member is made aware of a violation which the faculty member determines not to be substantive, the faculty member shall notify the complaining student promptly. (3) Administration Initiated Charge All charges initiated by members of the administration or librarians shall go directly to the Academic Integrity Council, for action by a Hearing Panel. Academic Dishonesty Process All actions, on any level, shall be recorded with the Office of Academic Operations. This includes cases handled directly by instructors. Deliberation of the hearing shall occur in two stages: the establishment of guilt and the recommendation of sanction. To find a respondent guilty, three-quarter of the voting panel members must agree. If the panel finds a respondent guilty, they shall also make a recommendation of sanction. A sanction other than expulsion can be recommended by threequarters of the voting panel members. A sanction of expulsion can only be recommended by a unanimous vote of the voting panel members. Reports of the Hearing Panel shall include a finding of fact and a determination of the guilt or innocence of the respondent. If the respondent is found guilty, then the report will also include a recommendation of sanction in accordance with this Code (see full policy for further explanation). These proceedings should be concluded as expeditiously as possible. The Hearing Panels should strive to have proceedings concluded within seven weeks of the report of the violation. However, failure to do so shall not constitute improper procedure under the Code. Academic Integrity Sanctions The following academic sanctions could be issued: The recommended minimum sanction in first offense cases shall be failure of the assignment in question. The recommended minimum sanction in repeat violation cases shall be failure of the course. For more serious offenses sanction may be suspension from the University for a specified, minimum time or expulsion from the University. Other sanctions may be appropriate for particular cases. Sanctions of suspension or expulsion, as a result of academic dishonesty, may only be determined by a Hearing Panel. 11 MBA Student Handbook

15 Attempts to commit acts prohibited by this Code may be punished to the same extent as completed violations. Respondents found in violation of this Code may also be removed from certain University programs, in accordance with the regulations and bylaws of that program. All sanctions except failure of the assignment in question shall be marked on the respondent's permanent record (i.e., transcript) with the phrase "Academic Dishonesty". In the case of failure of the course, the notation shall remain on the transcript of the respondent for a minimum of two years. In the case of suspension or expulsion, the notation shall remain on the transcript of the respondent for a minimum of three years. After the minimum time has elapsed, the respondent may petition the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for the removal of the sanction notation from the transcript. This provision shall not, however, prohibit any program, department, college or school of the University from retaining records of violations and reporting violations as required by their professional standards; the University may retain, for appropriate administrative purposes, records of all proceedings regarding violations of the Code of Academic Integrity. The text above was taken from the official University s Code of Academic Integrity which can be found at ACADEMIC STANDING A minimum grade point average (GPA) of no less than 3.0 must be maintained to remain in good academic standing and is required for award of a MBA degree. All graduate courses taken for graduate credit after matriculation as a degree candidate (except those audited, taken for the grade of CR, or transferred from an outside institution) will be used in the calculation of the GPA. Students cannot take additional coursework beyond the credits required for the MBA degree to raise their GPA to the 3.0 GPA minimum requirement to graduate. Standards of Satisfactory Academic Performance All GWSB students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to be eligible to continue enrollment in their MBA program and to receive federal financial aid. To maintain eligibility students must: Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0; and Complete all degree requirements within five calendar years of matriculation. The initial responsibility for recognizing academic difficulty and for taking steps to resolve it rests with the student. Those encountering academic difficulty in courses or other degree requirements are expected to consult with the appropriate faculty member immediately and, if necessary, to seek additional assistance. Academic Probation A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 at any point after completing nine (9) credit hours of academic coursework will be placed on academic probation. This probation extends through the period in which the student next attempts 12 credit hours of coursework, including prescribed courses. Students placed on academic probation are restricted in the number of credit hours they may take during their probation period. The following limitations apply to students placed on academic probation: Global MBA (first year only) 13.5 credit hours their first semester of academic probation Global MBA (second year and after) - 12 credit hours per semester until the end of the probationary period Professional Cohorted MBA (first year only) - core cohorted courses only until the end of the first year or probationary period, whichever comes first 12 MBA Student Handbook

16 Professional Cohorted MBA (second year and after) - six credit hours per semester until the end of the probationary period All other programs six credit hours per semester until the end of the probationary period During this period, the student s performance will be monitored to determine suitability for continued study. A student who fails to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0 or better during the period of probation will be suspended. Please note: Incomplete grades are not allowed during the probation period and are grounds for automatic suspension. A student who is subject to probation for a second time at any point during the program is automatically suspended. Academic probation will be permanently noted on the student s transcript. Academic Suspension A student who does not meet the conditions of probation will be suspended. A student who is suspended may request reinstatement to the MBA program after the lapse of one semester. To be reinstated the student must submit a Petition for Reinstatement to their academic advisor no later than 30 days prior to the start of the academic semester. To be eligible for reinstatement the student must submit documentation that indicates academic success if reinstated. Students who request reinstatement, but are unable to attain the minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 over the next 12 credit hours will be denied reinstatement. If a student is approved for reinstatement, the student will continue on academic probation and must achieve a minimum GPA average of 3.5 over the next 12 credit hours of coursework and attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Reinstated students are restricted in the number of credit hours they may take upon their return. The following limitations apply to students reinstated after academic suspension: Global MBA - 12 credit hours per semester until the end of the probationary period All other programs six credit hours per semester until the end of the probationary period To be eligible for reinstatement the student must submit documentation that indicates academic success if reinstated. A student reinstated will continue on academic probation and must achieve a minimum GPA average of 3.5 over the next 12 credit hours of coursework and attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Should the student fail to achieve the minimum GPA of 3.5 over the 12 credit hours or attain the cumulative GPA of 3.0, the student will be terminated from the MBA program and subsequent readmission will be denied (suspension without the option of readmission). Please note: Any outstanding Incomplete (I) courses at the time of suspension will automatically earn a grade of F. Academic suspension will be permanently noted on the student s transcript. Appeals Regarding Termination of Degree Candidacy A student s candidacy for a MBA degree may be terminated (suspension without the option of readmission) by the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs for reasons that include, but are not limited to, failure to make satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of the MBA degree requirements or findings of academic misconduct. 13 MBA Student Handbook

17 A student whose degree candidacy has been terminated for any reason will be notified in writing by the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs for the GW School of Business. The student shall have the right of appeal. The student must present the grounds of appeal to the Associate Dean for MBA Programs for the GW School of Business in writing within 30 days of the date of the Dean s letter terminating the degree candidacy. ATTENDANCE Please note the following regarding attendance in classes: Students may attend only those classes for which they are officially registered. Regular attendance is expected. A student suspended for any cause may not attend classes during the period of suspension. Students are held responsible for all required coursework for the courses in which they are registered, and all absences must be excused by the instructor before provision is made to make up the work missed. Absences Due to Religious Holidays The GW Faculty Senate has set guidelines pertaining to the observation of religious holidays. These have become University policy and are as follows: Students must notify faculty during the first week of the semester of their intention to be absent from class on their day(s) of religious observance; Faculty extend to these students the courtesy of absence without penalty on such occasions, including permission to make up examinations; and Faculty who intend to observe a religious holiday arrange at the beginning of the semester to reschedule missed classes. CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT, REINSTATEMENT AND READMISSION Once entered in a degree program, a student is expected to be continuously enrolled and actively engaged in fulfilling the requirements for the degree each semester of the academic year until such time as the degree is conferred. A student is considered to be continuously enrolled when registered for courses through GW or when registered for an approved leave of absence. Students who fail to register, fail to return from a leave of absence as scheduled, fail to return from a suspension as scheduled, voluntarily withdraw, or are otherwise absent without authorization from the University for one or more semesters must make a formal application for reinstatement. Students will only be approved for reinstatement if they are able to meet the University s policy of continuous enrollment by retroactively registering for up to two leaves of absence. If reinstatement is denied, the student must apply for readmission. If readmitted, the student is subject to the rules and regulations in force at the time of return. Students who fail to register for three or more semesters are required to reapply to the MBA program. Students who are readmitted can only apply coursework completed within five years from the semester of re-matriculation into the MBA program towards the MBA degree requirements. Core courses completed prior to the five year date must be retaken. Elective courses completed prior to the five year date will not be applied towards the MBA degree requirements. This policy is not eligible for appeal. 14 MBA Student Handbook

18 CORE COURSE WAIVER Students may apply for up to six (6) credit hours of course waivers for designated core courses by meeting one of the following criteria: 1. Provide evidence of successfully completing equivalent graduate-level coursework A copy of the course syllabus and an official transcript showing the grade earned are required. 2. Provide evidence of applicable license or degree A copy of the official license or an official transcript showing the conferral of the degree is required. Students must complete the MBA Course Waiver Request form, attach the required documentation, and submit the form and documentation to their academic advisor. If approved, the student does not need to complete the waived course at GWSB. However, the total number of credits required to complete the program will not be reduced and the student must replace the waived course with elective credits to fulfill graduation requirements. Equivalent coursework must meet the following criteria: Completed at an AACSB accredited institution Graduate-level and credit-bearing Completed within five years from the date of matriculation Earned a grade of B or better Please note: A listing of core courses outlining eligibility to waive the course and the requirements is located on the Current MBA Student website. Undergraduate coursework and/or degrees are not eligible for core course waiver consideration. COURSE REPETITION FOR CREDIT Except for courses that specifically state that repetition for credit is permitted, such as experimental courses numbered 6290, a candidate for a degree at this University may not repeat a course in which a grade of C for graduate students or better was received, unless required to do so by the MBA Program. GRADE GRIEVANCE In the event that a student feels that a grade is the result of arbitrary and capricious academic evaluation, a student may pursue resolution through the Grade Grievance Process. Students must follow the grade grievance procedures and meet all of the posted deadlines. A copy of the full policy can be found at and a brief overview is below: Student should seek an acceptable resolution through a discussion with the instructor of the course. This discussion must be initiated within one month of the posting of the course grade. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, student should seek an acceptable resolution through a discussion with the Department Chair in which the course is held. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, the student should file and submit an official Notification of Grade Grievance Form to the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs within four months after the student s final course grade has been posted. The notification must include all relevant documentation. 15 MBA Student Handbook

19 The Associate Dean, the matter will be forwarded to the Chair of the GWSB Dean s Council who will appoint a Grade Grievance Hearing Committee within three (3) weeks of receiving the Notification of Grade Grievance Form. The Grade Grievance Hearing Committee will make a final determination regarding the allegation of arbitrary and capricious grading. The Committee is the final appellate body for grade grievances in GWSB. If the student believes that in some identifiable manner the procedures detailed above have not been followed by this Committee, the student may request in writing (detailing procedural violations) that the GWSB Dean s Council review the procedural aspects of the case. Note: Students are responsible for providing adequate written documentation as outlined in the full policy. Only grade disagreements of two levels or more may be submitted to the Dean s Council. For example, a request to have a grade changed from a B+ to an A- (one level) is not material and will not be reviewed while a request to change a B+ to an A (two levels) is material and will be reviewed by the committee. GRADE OF F When a student receives a grade of F in a core, required, or elective course completed at George Washington University or through Consortium, it becomes a part of the student s permanent record and is calculated into the student s grade point average (GPA). The grade of F remains on the student s transcript and will not be replaced and/or removed once the course is retaken. Students given the grade of F in a core or other required course must repeat the course in the next semester in which the course is offered and achieve at least the grade of B. If the grade earned in the second attempt is below a B, the student will be terminated from the MBA program (suspended without the option for readmission). INCOMPLETE GRADES Students are expected to complete all coursework by the end of the module or semester in which a course is taken. In special circumstances, an instructor may grant a student permission to delay submission of work up to one calendar year after the course ends by recording an Incomplete (I). Granting a grade of I is fully at the discretion of the faculty member teaching the course. To be considered for a grade of I, the student must provide a satisfactory explanation to their instructor for their inability to complete the required coursework for reasons beyond their control and an outline as to how they will complete the remaining coursework in a timely manner. The student may request a grade of I only if their prior performance and class attendance in the course have been satisfactory. If the student fails to request an Incomplete by the date when grades must be turned in, the student s work will be graded based on work completed up to this date. Coursework must be completed by the date agreed on by the instructor and the student, but no later than one calendar year from the end of the course. When work for the course is completed, the instructor will submit a grade change and the new grade will replace the grade of I on the transcript. The grade of I cannot be changed by reregistering for the course at GW or by taking its equivalent elsewhere. If the coursework is not completed by the deadline, or within one calendar year, whichever comes first, the grade converts to the grade of F and will be reflected as IF on the student s transcript and subject to the Grade of F policy. In cases of well-documented extenuating circumstances, an instructor and a student may jointly petition the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs for additional time in which to complete the remaining coursework. 16 MBA Student Handbook

20 This policy will apply whether or not the student has continued to enroll in the Graduate School. The sole exception is that students who receive an Incomplete in their final semester of enrollment, but who are able to graduate without those credits, will retain an Incomplete indefinitely. Upon graduation the transcript will be closed and no further grade changes will be made LEAVE OF ABSENCE Students who find it necessary to interrupt their studies may request a personal leave of absence by completing the Leave of Absence Request Form. If a personal leave of absence is requested after the start of the semester, students will be subject to the refund schedule set by the Office of the Registrar. Students should be aware of the following when requesting a personal leave of absence: No more than two semesters of leave are allowed during a student s tenure in the MBA program. Students who do not return after taking personal leave must apply for reinstatement. If reinstatement is denied, students must reapply to the program and, if approved, will be subject to the requirements and regulations at the time of readmission. The five-year limit to complete the MBA program is extended by the number of semesters of official personal leave taken. A personal leave of absence will not confer registration or residency status needed to qualify for financial aid or visa requirements. The right to use of University facilities is suspended while the leave is in effect. Leave of Absence Due to Military Deployment Students who are serving in the military, military reserves, or the National Guard and who receive orders to deploy may request a military leave of absence by completing the Leave of Absence for Active Duty Military Request Form. Military leave allows active duty military who have received orders to deploy to interrupt their studies for the length of time that they are deployed. Military leave does not count towards the two semester limit of personal leave outlined above. Students who receive orders to deploy prior to or early in a semester are automatically entitled to a full refund of all tuition and fees that he or she has paid toward the expenses of that academic term. If called to active duty after the mid-term examinations or after other substantial graded work has been completed, the student will have the option of either taking a full refund of tuition of fees or taking an Incomplete in his or her courses. Students who opt to take an Incomplete must follow the policies and procedures in place for students requesting a grade of Incomplete. Returning from a Leave of Absence Students returning on schedule from an approved personal or military leave of absence will be eligible for early registration for the semester in which they are scheduled to return. If a student needs to request a second leave of absence, or have received orders that their deployment is being extended, the student must submit a new Leave of Absence Request Form or Leave of Absence for Active Duty Military Request Form. Students returning from leave must be registered no later than the add/drop deadline set by the Office of the Register for the semester in which they are scheduled to return. NON-DEGREE COURSEWORK Students may apply up to 6 credit hours of GW non-degree coursework taken prior to official admission to the MBA program toward their MBA degree requirements. Students who have completed coursework as a non-degree student must submit a Non-Degree Course Request form to their academic advisor for review. 17 MBA Student Handbook